Report card: Texans vs. Browns

With the running game so dominant, Matt Schaub threw only 23 passes and completed 14 for 119 yards. He threw away five passes when receivers weren’t open. He was intercepted once and didn’t throw a touchdown pass. He ran for a touchdown. He wasn’t sacked. His rating was 56.2.

Grade: C

RUNNING BACKS

Arian Foster and Ben Tate combined for 239 yards and two touchdowns. Foster had 124 and Tate 115. Derrick Ward added 22 yards. The Texans averaged 6.5 yards a carry. Foster had a team-high five receptions.

Grade: A-plus

RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

As a group, they did a terrific job of blocking for the running game, and they weren’t called on to catch all that much. Tight ends Owen Daniels and Joel Dreessen combined for five catches. Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones, the starting wideouts, combined for three catches.

Grade: C

OFFENSIVE LINE

They paved the way for a running game that generated 261 yards, a 6.5-yard average per carry and three touchdowns. They also kept Matt Schaub clean. He wasn’t sacked. Overall, it might have been their best game this season.

Grade: A-plus

DEFENSIVE LINE

They did an outstanding job of stuffing the run. They helped get a lot of pressure on QB Colt McCoy. DE Antonio Smith suffered a shoulder injury and didn’t play much in the second half. J.J. Watt recovered a fumble. Tim Jamison had two quarterback hurries.

Grade: A-minus

LINEBACKERS

Brian Cushing led the defense in tackles. He also recorded his second sack. Brooks Reed had two sacks and Connor Barwin had one. DeMeco Ryans forced a fumble. They put a lot of pressure on QB Colt McCoy, and they dropped into coverage effortlessly.

Grade: A

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Quintin Demps intercepted a pass and returned it 42 yards. Johnathan Joseph allowed a touchdown pass. Kareem Jackson played his best game. Glover Quin had a team-high six unassisted tackles.

Grade: A-minus

SPECIAL TEAMS

After Josh Cribbs burned them for a long return, they wised up and stopped kicking it to him. Neil Rackers kicked three field goals, including a 50-yarder. Jacoby Jones had a 50-yard punt return. Brett Hartmann had a 47.5-yard gross and a 36-yard net.

Grade: B

COACHING

Gary Kubiak, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and offensive coordinator Rick Dennison made sure their players weren’t flat. They scored touchdown on their opening drives in the first and third quarters. They dominated from start to finish.